BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso has been suspended.
His suspension notice was delivered yesterday by Governor General under advice from the Prime Minister.
Private Secretary to the Governor-General at the Government House Rawcliffe Ziza told Island Sun today reason for the suspension includes outstanding allegations against Mr Vaevaso.
“Commissioner Vaevaso is suspended while a tribunal investigates the outstanding allegations against him,” Mr Ziza said.
The tribunal was set up yesterday also, Ziza adds.
An acting police commissioner will be made known later under the advice of the prime minister, Ziza said.
The allegations against Commissioner Vaevaso centre on the mishandling and improper destruction of seized illicit drug evidence on February 17, 2024.
In January 2024 Vaevaso allegedly removed the confiscated methamphetamine and ketamine from secure storage and kept them inside his private office for nearly a month without proper forensic oversight.
The drugs were officially dumped into the ocean on February 17, 2024, an episode the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) initially promoted through a press release and photographs before internal whistleblowers raised concerns regarding the legality of the process.
Following an investigation by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), an internal report found sufficient evidence to recommend criminal charges for abuse of office based on the following specific actions:
Improper evidence disposal – He allegedly bypassed strict forensic protocols by ordering officers to turn over a large stash of confiscated methamphetamine and ketamine, which he subsequently dumped into the ocean.
Tampering risks – He allegedly kept the seized narcotics unsecured inside his private office for nearly a month before disposing of them, creating an opportunity for evidence tampering.
Witness intimidation – He allegedly threatened and intimidated subordinate officers who actively opposed his irregular handling of the drug exhibits.
Misleading investigators – He allegedly lied to internal police investigators when initially confronted about the unauthorized disposal process.
Vaevaso has always insisted his innocence. The current prime minister, Matthew Wale, when he was Opposition leader, objected to the appointment of Vaevaso to be the new police commissioner on April 24 this year.
Vaevaso’s legal standing to take office was reinforced when the Attorney General’s Office reviewed the internal case and dismissed the allegations. The AG ruled there was insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges, which Vaevaso’s allies note effectively closed the matter prior to his swearing-in.
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